If somebody argues using a very strict set of rules he might be following this idiom to closely.
What is by the book?
100
Mark was excited to get work because he knew that this shift paid extra for starting work at 5AM. He might also be thinking this.
What is the early bird gets the worm?
100
Laura was very nervous about her test you might also say that she was this.
What is to get worked up over?
200
If a debate gets heated it can be helpful to do this
What is clear the air?
200
Leaving the house to get to work he was skipping along when a neighbor saw him and proclaimed "Mark has always been" one of these rodents.
What is eager beaver?
200
Laura was so worried that she was going to fail or at the very least do this.
What is scrape by?
300
When somebody is overwhelmed by somebody elses argument they might feel like this.
What is in over their head?
300
Mark was busy working on a project at work with many colleagues when a customer complained that their product was wrong. This could have been caused by this.
What is too many cooks in the kitchen?
300
Laura was so relieved when she was done the test and got the answers. She got 95%. One might even say she did this.
What is passed with flying colors?
400
When you are asked a question you have no idea the answer to you could be said to be this
What is out of your depth?
400
Mark was so tired when his boss phoned him that got angry and is worried he might have done this.
What is burned his bridge?
400
Elated Laura cried out "I am the Queen of the World". Only it was more of a meow then aroar. When her professor saw this she said this followed by "you should stick to science instead of acting"